Prosecutor to decide if Highland Township woman will be charged in drunken driving crash

A Highland Township woman may face a fourth drunken driving offense as prosecutors consider charges after a May 4 crash involving a van and motorcycle.

Oakland County sheriff’s deputies report blood tests completed on the van driver showed she had a 0.19 blood alcohol content at the time of the crash which seriously injured a motorcyclist, more than double the 0.08 limit.

Deputies submitted the case to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of charges.

The motorcyclist, Chris Surago, said he was northbound just past Wardlow Road when the southbound minivan turned left into a market parking lot. He said he slammed on the brakes but broadsided the minivan.

The van driver left the scene at high rate of speed, according to reports, and drove through the Highland Greens Estates manufactured home community, just north of the accident.

The van driver, a 35-year-old Highland woman, was found and jailed on suspicion of a third or subsequent operating while intoxicated offense, a felony, and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident. She has three prior convictions for operating while intoxicated.

Surago suffered a broken leg and facial injuries.

In a recent Facebook account, he expressed his appreciation to friends.

“Thank you all for the prayers, thoughts and support that everyone has sent my way,” he wrote. “It will not be forgotten as long as I shall live.”